Benedict Cumberbatch talks about voicing villains in The Hobbit. American Horror Story's biggest star is officially returning. A Star Trek legend joins The Secret Circle. Plus an insane description of a scene from The Man of Steel.

It's spoilers all the way down!

Top image from The Hunger Games.

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Man of Steel

While filming scenes at Edwards Air Force Base in California, director Zack Snyder also reportedly shot some scenes near the base that supposedly included Superman star Henry Cavill, General Zod actor Michael Shannon, Lois Lane actress Amy Adams, Antje Traue, who is playing the Kryptonian villainess Faora, and Christopher Meloni, who is playing some sort of high-ranking military figure. The actual reports come from inside sources and are all a bit garbled - so I'd take this all with a grain of salt - but the scenes being shot also involved a massive green screen standing in for a Kryptonian spaceship, and that Zod was using the ship and the "forces" within it as leverage to strike a deal with Meloni's military figure. There are conflicting reports about how accurate that all is, but there does seem to be some agreement that a Kryptonian spaceship is involved — of course, whether that means there are any additional Kryptonians in the movie is a whole other question. Anyway, you can judge for yourself and check out a blurry set photo at the link. [Cosmic Book News]

The Hunger Games

Also, the MPAA has officially given the movie a PG-13 rating, as one would pretty much expect. [First Showing]

The Hobbit

Sherlock star and recently cast Star Trek villain Benedict Cumberbath, who is definitely portraying Smaug the dragon — and reportedly also the Necromancer — discusses his experience working on the Hobbit movies:

"I was very lucky [to work] with Pete. As far as the experience, what an extraordinary one it was because at the time I was in my work; I was in isolation with him and this incredible tag team. And at the very cool place with that technology doing mo-cap for two characters, Smaug the dragon and another character, which will remain nameless, and it was an awful lot of fun. It's a sort of wonderful ongoing process. I spent a lot of time recording voice as well as doing movements. So, it was sort of freeing; it was fun. It was like playing a game. It's going to be an amazing film; it's going to be a real treat. I watched 'The Lord of the Rings' again before I started working, and the way those films grow in depth of craft on every level are extraordinary. Their mark is for that."

Dark Shadows

Here's a bunch of new character photos for Tim Burton's update of the 1970s supernatural soap opera. There's also a lengthy synopsis that I don't believe we've posted before down below. [Coming Soon]

In the year 1752, Joshua and Naomi Collins, with young son Barnabas, set sail from Liverpool, England to start a new life in America. But even an ocean was not enough to escape the mysterious curse that has plagued their family. Two decades pass and Barnabas (Johnny Depp) has the world at his feet—or at least the town of Collinsport, Maine. The master of Collinwood Manor, Barnabas is rich, powerful and an inveterate playboy...until he makes the grave mistake of breaking the heart of Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green). A witch, in every sense of the word, Angelique dooms him to a fate worse than death: turning him into a vampire, and then burying him alive.

Two centuries later, Barnabas is inadvertently freed from his tomb and emerges into the very changed world of 1972. He returns to Collinwood Manor to find that his once-grand estate has fallen into ruin. The dysfunctional remnants of the Collins family have fared little better, each harboring their own dark secrets. Matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard (Michelle Pfeiffer) has called upon live-in psychiatrist, Dr. Julia Hoffman (Helena Bonham Carter), to help with her family troubles. Also residing in the manor is Elizabeth's ne'er-do-well brother, Roger Collins, (Jonny Lee Miller); her rebellious teenage daughter Carolyn Stoddard (Chloe Moretz); and Roger's precocious 10-year-old son, David Collins (Gulliver McGrath). The mystery extends beyond the family, to caretaker Willie Loomis, played by Jackie Earle Haley, and David's new nanny, Victoria Winters, played by Bella Heathcote.

Lockout

Here are some promo photos of stars Guy Pearce (Memento) and Lost alum Maggie Grace in the upcoming movie where a wrongfully convicted federal agent must save the President's daughter from rioting convicts in an outer space prison. (I'll just let you guess which actor is playing which character.) [Crave Online]

The Pet

Napoleon Dynamite and Nacho Libre director Jared Hess has reportedly signed on to direct this Disney family comedy about a bunch of aliens who adopt an ordinary human guy as a pet. The script was originally written by Matt Lieberman but has since been rewritten by This Means War's Tim Dowling. [Variety]

True Blood

The fifth season will reportedly feature a wedding, and said wedding will in turn feature karaoke at the dinner. [E! Online]

Here's a bunch of casting calls for episode seven, which is set to start filming March 16:

[BLACK OPS VAMP] Late 20s to early 30s, a Black Ops Vampire, he/she is involved in a mission to capture a prisoner. CO-STAR. (2)[TYRESE] A beer-drinking, pizza-loving African-American man in his late 20s, Tyrese is another member of the trashy, low-rent anti-vampire hate group. POSSIBLE RECURRING. (8)[REVEREND SKINNER] Male, 40s to 50s. This minister is seen on video, performing a marriage ceremony. CO-STAR. (21)[SWEETIE] Female, Caucasian. About 30, she is a large woman who's having a noontime romance with an older married man. RECURRING. (27)[BRIDE-TO-BE] Female, 20s, Caucasian. A bride-to-be at a big Southern wedding, she's attending a karaoke party after the rehearsal dinner, and sings "You Light Up My Life" to her groom, until she's interrupted. CO-STAR. (47)[GROOM'S MOTHER] Caucasian, mid to late 40s. The mother of the groom, she also attends the karaoke party after the wedding rehearsal, and recognizes an uninvited guest. CO-STAR. (47)[SECURITY GUARD] This security guard in charge of protection announces an unexpected visitor, and later snaps into almost-action, awaiting orders. CO-STAR. (51)

The Walking Dead

Comics creator Robert Kirkman explains why British actor David Morrissey, whose previous credits include State of Play and the title role in the Doctor Who special "The Next Doctor", was perfect to play the Governor:

"More than any other actor, David Morrissey came in and wanted to embrace everything that there is to the Governor. He knew this is a complicated character, and he knew this was a character that people are going to hate to love. He recognized that this character is a villain. A lot of people came in and were like, 'But he's a good guy inside, right?' They want that nuance, and that's definitely important. We definitely have that. The Governor isn't a one-note character; there are a lot of layers to that onion. But this is a sadistic guy. David Morrissey, more than any other actor, really wanted to sink his teeth into that role. He wants to embrace everything there is about the Governor."

Kirkman promises they will be uncompromising in their portrayal of the Governor, and that they aim to preserve the intensity of the comic book incarnation. You can read more at the link. [MTV Splash Page]

Norman Reedus sounds pretty certain that Michael Rooker will be back eventually as Merle — and not just as a hallucination, presumably — which probably either means it's going to happen this season, or Daryl's long-term survival chances are looking good:

Yeah, you'll see him. He'll come back, eventually, and he'll probably be super-pissed. That's going to be interesting. Is blood thicker than these new bonds he's made? There's going to be a lot of confrontation going on, for sure.

As for someone whose long-term survival chances are not looking good, a description of the upcoming second season Blu-Ray features this description. The relevant part has been bolded:

"This special limited edition Blu-Ray includes all 13 episodes on 4 discs, including bonus features such as: the making of the barn, an extended zombie gut scene, Shane's last episode, full Comic Con coverage with panel, comic book vs episode comparison, and more!"

So yeah... sounds like Shane is pretty definitely on the way out, and I kind of think that the wording might even suggest it happens before the season finale. [ShockTillYouDrop]

Awake

Here's the description of next Thursday's episode two, "The Little Guy":

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? – LAURA INNES (‘ER,' ‘THE EVENT') GUEST STARS - Detective Michael Britten (Jason Isaacs) continues to deal with his parallel versions of reality. In one world he's looking for ways to reconnect with his son, Rex (Dylan Minnette), by offering him some normalcy while they deal with his mother's death. In the other, Britten works to understand the emotions that his grieving wife, Hannah (Laura Allen) is going through. Meanwhile, a witness in the murder of a homeless man tells Britten and his rookie partner, Vega (Wilmer Valderamma) that a "small guy" was spotted at the scene of the crime. When that clue crosses over into the case Britten is working on in his other reality, Bird (Steve Harris), is confused by his partner's sudden interest in the height of the suspects they are investigating. Meanwhile, Britten's captain, (guest star Laura Innes) shows growing concern over his behavior. Later, the events surrounding the fateful accident that changed Britten's life come into question and throughout, Dr. Lee (BD Wong) and Dr. Evans (Cherry Jones) continue to present their dueling theories on Britton's condition.

And here's the synopsis for the third episode, "Guilty", which airs March 15:

PRESUMED INNOCENT – Detective Michael Britten's (Jason Isaacs) two worlds spin out of control when his son Rex (Dylan Minnette) is kidnapped by an escaped convict, Cooper (Clifton Powell), a man Britten arrested 10-years ago. In his other reality, Hannah (Laura Allen) is upset that Britten cannot attend an event honoring their deceased son because he is tracking down a missing teenage boy. Clues from both worlds lead to a confrontation that calls Britten's sanity into question.

Here's a bunch of interviews with the cast and crew. The first stars Jason Isaacs, the second features Laura Allen, Michaela McManus, and Dylan Minnette, the third is with Wilmer Valderrama and Steve Harris, the fourth with BD Wong and Cherry Jones, and the last one is with executive producers Howard Gordon and Kyle Killen. [TV Equals]

Executive producer Howard Gordon suggests this season's climax will revolve around what really happened the night of the car accident:

"That question will ebb and flow over the course of the first season, but there's also a big question that is answered that we drive toward the end of the season, which is what really happened that night. That's a question that will be answered and should give people a pretty strong sense of closure."

And show creator Kyle Killen offers some more thoughts on the show's dual realities:

It's an inherent question at all time. People and events that take place in the show on a weekly basis seem to reflect on the nature of what is real and what is manufactured. Sometimes, pursuing those questions are important to the case that he's on or understanding his own story as he looks back at the events that happened to him to cause this situation, this accident that got him here. Long term, the show isn't built around answering a single question - which is real. The show is really about a man who has decided and desperately wants to live in both of these worlds, who refuses to acknowledge which is real and which isn't. As you try to live two lives in parallel and you see them start to go in dramatically different directions, I think the idea is the audiences likes the character and becomes invested in not wanting to let either of those go."

Grimm

Here's a sneak peek for tonight's episode, "Three Coins in a Fuchsbau", which guests stars Deadwood and Lost actor Titus Welliver. You can read more about the episode at the link. [TV Guide]

Supernatural and The Vampire Diaries actor Sebastian Roche has reportedly been cast in an upcoming episode as Edwin Waltz, a "handjugar" on the trail of Ian Harmon, played by Lost and True Blood's Neil Hopkins. [Zap2It]

Supernatural

Here's the synopsis for episode sixteen, "Out with the Old":

DOUBLE TROUBLE - After a ballerina is found dead from dancing herself to death, Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) look into the case and discover the ballet slippers she wore were cursed. When Dean accidentally touches the shoes the power of the curse starts to take hold of him.

Here's the description for episode seventeen, "The Born-Again Identity", which airs March 23, and features the return of a beloved cast member:

MISHA COLLINS RETURNS! - Lucifer (guest star Mark Pellegrino) drives Sam (Jared Padalecki) to the breaking point and Sam ends up in a mental hospital. Desperate to save his brother, Dean (Jensen Ackles) calls every hunter he knows for help. One of the hunters gives him the name of a healer who turns out to have a very familiar face (guest star Misha Collins).

American Horror Story

Show creator Ryan Murphy confirms that Jessica Lange will be back for the second season, though as an all new character:

"We have designed the second season of American Horror Story completely around her character. Last year Jessica came in with Connie Britton and Dylan McDermott. This will really be the Jessica Lange show so I'm very excited about it. We are designing this amazing new opposite of the Constance character for her. She and I have spoken about different things. She has a lot of ideas, and has a lot of input into her character. She told me some things she has always wanted to play as an actress. She's a great collaborator and a great friend."

Murphy also revealed that three more actors from the first season are returning, and exactly who they are should be revealed later today. [EW]

Being Human (US)

Here's a sneak peek for episode eight, "I've Got You Under Your Skin." You can check out another video at the link. [multipleverses.com]

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Here are three sneak peeks, a promo photo, and the synopsis for tonight's episode, which guest stars Simon Pegg as the Empire Strikes Back bounty hunter Dengar.

This week, in "Bounty," an aimless Asajj Ventress joins a team of bounty hunters under the leadership of young Boba Fett. On an alien world, they undertake a dangerous but profitable mission that tests the limits of their skills, and the strength of Asajj's character. Dengar - one of the bounty hunters seen in the company of Boba Fett in The Empire Strikes Back - is coming to The Clone Wars, and actor Simon Pegg (Star Trek and Shaun of the Dead) is playing him in this week's episode.

The Vampire Diaries

Here's the synopsis for the seventeenth episode, "Break on Through", which is due to air March 22:

FAMILY HISTORIES - A century after their first encounter, Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Sage (guest star Cassidy Freeman) meet again at the ceremony to kick-off the restoration of Wickery Bridge. Damon is surprised to learn the reason Sage has returned, and pleased when she devises an unusual method to help him figure out what Rebekah (guest star Claire Holt) is up to. Abby (guest star Persia White) is having a hard time adjusting to her new reality, despite Bonnie (Kat Graham) and Caroline's (Candice Accola) efforts to help. When Damon informs Elena (Nina Dobrev) of Stefan's (Paul Wesley) latest struggles, she reaches out to Stefan to help her save a friend in danger, in hopes that it will help bring Stefan even closer to his humanity. Finally, when Damon discovers a new secret weapon, he lets Stefan in on the news.

The Secret Circle

Here's the official description for episode seventeen, "Curse", which airs March 22:

CASSIE VISITS HER GRANDMOTHER AND LEARNS SOME STARTLING NEWS, FAYE GETS A STALKER AND CHARLES MAKES HIS MOVE - Blackwell (guest star Joe Lando) warns Cassie (Britt Robertson) and Adam (Thomas Dekker) that their love may be destiny, but it's also a curse. He suggests they go visit her grandmother, Jane (guest star Ashley Crow) to find out if there is a spell to reverse it. Jane warns Cassie that someone in the Circle will die if the curse is awakened. Meanwhile, Eva (guest star Alexis Fast) starts stalking Faye (Phoebe Tonkin) and Charles (Gale Harold) makes his next move against Blackwell.

Finally, let's end this with what is really the most awesome possible news in any given situation: a John de Lancie casting announcement. Yes, everyone's favorite omnipotent superbeing will be taking some valuable time out from tormenting Federation officers and/or ponies to play Royce Armstrong, the grandfather of Chris Zylka's Jake, who reportedly "comes out of hiding to reveal disturbing conspiracy theories about the events of 16 years ago and how the present-day circle is involved." [TV Guide]